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What is Parliamentary Debate?

The UIS Forensics Team is a member of the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA).

Parliamentary debate is defined by the NPDA as “an audience-centered form of two-person debate. In each debate, two students will represent the government side (or the side supporting the resolution), while two students will represent the opposition side (or the side negating the resolution). Students are expected to present arguments supporting their side while refuting arguments of the other team. Parliamentary debate is based loosely on the British model of parliament, with a bit of American academic debate style (such as the specific ‘flowing’ of arguments) thrown in.” Please see the NPDA website for additional information on the Parliamentary debate format.